Automobile construction.



V. E. GRAGORY;

AUTOMOBILE' CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 2o, I9I1.

n Patented Apr. 1,1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

i v. E. GRAGORY.

AUTOMOBILE CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20.1917.

1,298,928., 1 y Patented Apr. 1,1919.4 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/5 //H/l{///////////////////////#7M/4M( II 111% IAM rra naar risica.

AUTOMOBILE CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

Application le July 20. 1917, Serial N o. 181,770.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Beit known that I, VENYARD E. GRAGoRY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Adolphus, in the county of Allen, State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automobile Constructions; and I do hereby declare the f ollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in automobiles, and particularly to chassis constructions therefor.

One object of the present invention is to provide a chassis of such construction that shocks incident to unevennesses in the road will be readily absorbed thereby.

Another object is to provide a device of this character whereby vertical as well as.

forward and rearward horizontal vibrations will be absorbed.

Other object-s and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a 'side elevation of a chassis construction made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawings 10 represents the lower or foundation portion of the chassis construction, this portion being in the form of a rectangular metal frame, as shown in the drawing. In each of the longer side members 11 ofthe frame there are formed the vertical openings 12. Extending transversely of the frame, and at a suitable distance to the rear of the front member thereof, iS a transverse bar 13, in which is formed an opening for the reception of the steering post 14 of the automobile. Disposed upwardly through the openings 12 are the bolts 15, and engaged on these bolts between the lower ends thereof and the frame l0, are the coil springs 16. Engaged on the bolts, above the frame, are the coil springs 17. A pair of longitudinally extending bars 18 are disposed above the side members of the frame 10, and are formed with openings 19 which register with the openings 12, and also receive the bolts 15, above the springs 17, said bars resting on said springs, as shown. On the lower ends of the bolts are disposed the washers 20, and below these washers are engaged the nuts 21.

A substantially U-shaped bar 22 is disposed above the forward ends of the frame 10, and a similar bar 23 above the rear end of the frame. Clips 24 are secured to these bars and secured to these clips are the ends of the longitudinal bars 18. The arms of the bars 22 and 23 are cylindrical in cross section, as shown at 25, and are received in the bores 26 formed in the ends of the side bars 27. Within these bores are disposed coil springs 28 which bear against the ends of the portions 25, with one end and against the inner ends of the bores with their other ends. Thus the bars 18 and 22 and 27 form a unitary structure which is capable of longitudinal movement, the bars 27 being movable against the resistance of the springs 28. The frame 10, being connected to the bars 18, by means of the bolts 15, also moves with said unitary structure. Within the bores and against which the cylindrical arms 25 bear, are the ball bearings 29, whereby the sliding movements of the frames are made more easy and free.

The steering rod or post 14 is formed of a plurality of knuckle joints 30 whereby the same is capable of being turned durin the sliding movements of the frames. It w1ll be noted that the lower end of the post is secured in the opening of the transverse member 13, and the upper end formed with a longitudinal angular socketed member 31. In this socketed member is disposed the upper portion 32 which carries the wheel 33. Thus the movements of the frames will not in any way affect the proper movements of the steering post.

It will thus be seen that when the wheels of the vehicle strike an obstruction in the road, the shock will be absorbed by the springs in the bores of the side members, and that when the vehicle drops at the other side of the obstruction, the shock will be absorbed by the springs carried by the bolts 15.

What is claimed is:

A chassis construction, comprising a sub-y stantial rectangular shape base frame, longitudinally disposed spaced'bars above the sides of the base frame, vertical yieldable resilient connections between said bars and the sides of the base frame, end cross bars fixed to said longitudinal bars and having inwardly directed arms, side members outside of the longitudinal bars and having socket ends receiving the arms of the end bars, coiled springs mounted within the sockl5 ets in said bars and Working against the arms, andV anti-'friction means surrounding the arms and working within the sockets.

In testimony whereof, I afiX my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

VENYARD E. GRGORY. Witnesses:

OSCAR L. STAFFORD, LESTER J. HIN'roNv.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for fiveV cents each2 by addressingv the Commissioner of Batents,

Washington, D. G. 

